- Candy.ai: #1 in our ranking
- Replika: #15 in our ranking
- Adults 18+
Candy.ai vs Replika (2026): Which Is Better?
Quick verdict
It depends on what you want. As of October 2026, Candy.ai scores 8.7/10 and Replika 7.3/10. Pick Candy.ai if you want romance with selfies. Pick Replika if you want a calm, caring friend.
We earn a commission if you sign up through this button. It never changes our score.
Candy.ai wins on adult chat (9.3 against 5.5 for NSFW freedom) and pictures. Replika wins on voice (8.2 against 7.2) and privacy info.
Apps are listed by overall score, with one editorial exception: OurDream AI is placed at #2 as our pick for building her yourself. OurDream AI is an affiliate partner. A commission never changes a score.
| At a glance | Candy.ai | Replika |
|---|---|---|
| Best score | Customization, 9.4 | Mobile, 8.8 |
| Weakest score | Voice 7.2, privacy info 7.2 | NSFW freedom, 5.5 |
| Price | $13.99/mo, or $3.99/mo yearly | From $7.99/mo (US App Store) |
| Free | 5 messages and 1 picture | Chat is free, no trial |
| Voice calls | In beta, paid with tokens | Voice calls on Pro |
| App | None needed: it runs in a browser | Apps for iPhone and Android |
On this page
Candy.ai vs Replika in 30 seconds
- Overall: Candy.ai wins clearly, 8.7 to 7.3, as of October 2026. They’re #1 and #15 of 16 in our ranking.
- Candy.ai wins: NSFW freedom (9.3 vs 5.5), pictures (9.3 vs 6.0) and customization (9.4 vs 7.0), plus chat realism, app design and price value.
- Replika wins: voice (8.2 vs 7.2) and privacy info (7.8 vs 7.2), and edges ahead on mobile. They tie on memory.
- Real cost: about $14 a month on Candy.ai if you mostly chat. On Replika, chat is free, and Pro costs from $7.99 a month, by our estimate.
- Skip both if: you want the best memory. Nomi.ai is our pick for memory (9.0 for memory).
Scores side by side: who wins what?
Candy.ai wins 6 of the ten ratings and Replika wins 3, with a tie on memory. Candy.ai’s ten ratings work out to 8.66, shown as 8.7. Replika’s work out to 7.25, shown as 7.3. A commission never changes a score.
| What we rate | Weight | Candy.ai | Replika | Higher score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.7 (higher) | 7.3 | Candy.ai | |
| Chat realism | 20% | 8.9 (higher) | 7.5 | Candy.ai |
| Customization | 12% | 9.4 (higher) | 7.0 | Candy.ai |
| NSFW freedom | 12% | 9.3 (higher) | 5.5 | Candy.ai |
| Memory | 12% | 8.2 (tie) | 8.2 (tie) | Tie |
| Pictures and video | 10% | 9.3 (higher) | 6.0 | Candy.ai |
| Price value | 10% | 7.6 (higher) | 7.0 | Candy.ai |
| App design | 8% | 9.0 (higher) | 8.0 | Candy.ai |
| Mobile | 6% | 8.7 | 8.8 (higher) | Replika |
| Privacy info | 5% | 7.2 | 7.8 (higher) | Replika |
| Voice | 5% | 7.2 | 8.2 (higher) | Replika |
Scores out of 10, October 2026. The higher score in each row is in bold pink. Same scores and weights as our ranking and methodology.
Which is better for romance and adult chat?
Candy.ai, by far. It scores 9.3 for NSFW freedom against 5.5 for Replika.
- Candy.ai9.3
- Replika5.5
Candy.ai’s adult modes are easy to find, with no hidden settings. Premium includes 18+ images and videos, its plans page says, paid with tokens.
On Replika, romance comes with Pro: you can set her status to Romantic Partner, Replika says. In our checks, romantic mode depended on account and region settings, and adult chat is limited.
Test it: Chat free on Replika for a week first. Note whether romantic mode is offered on your account.
Which is better for pictures of her?
Candy.ai. It scores 9.3 for pictures and video against 6.0 for Replika.
- Candy.ai9.3
- Replika6.0
In our Candy.ai test, the first pictures looked like the character we designed. When a redo swapped her earrings, naming the earrings, hair and outfit kept her consistent.
Replika’s Pro plan unblurs romantic selfies and adds image generation, its help center says. Platinum adds up to 10 realistic selfie videos. We haven’t tested Platinum yet.
Test it: Note your Candy.ai token balance before and after one selfie evening. That shows how far 100 tokens go for you.
Which is better for designing her?
Candy.ai. It scores 9.4 for customization, tied for the top score in our ranking, against 7.0 for Replika.
- Candy.ai9.4
- Replika7.0
On Candy.ai, you pick realistic or anime, then hair, eyes and outfit. In our test, a custom companion was ready in under three minutes in a phone browser.
On Replika, you dress her and decorate her room with coins and gems. You earn them as you go, and you can also buy gems, it says.
Test it: Design one look on Candy.ai and time it: under three minutes is our bar.
Which is better for everyday chat?
Candy.ai, for chat realism. It scores 8.9 against 7.5 for Replika.
- Candy.ai8.9
- Replika7.5
In our test, Candy.ai’s chat stayed romantic. In longer storylines, she needed the odd reminder.
Replika is built for calm check-ins rather than roleplay. In our test, a week of check-ins felt calmer and less salesy than apps built around adult pictures. Next to newer roleplay apps, its chat can feel scripted.
Test it: Tell her three harmless facts on day one in each app. A week later, ask about one of them, without hints.
Candy.ai vs Replika pricing: which costs less?
Candy.ai Premium costs $13.99 a month, and Replika’s paid plans start at $7.99 a month in the US App Store, after free chat. With Pro, we estimate Replika really costs from $7.99 a month if you mostly chat; Candy.ai cost about $14 in our test. Candy.ai scores higher for price value (7.6 against 7.0). Confirm prices in the app before you pay.
| Plans and costs | Candy.ai | Replika |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Only to start: 5 messages in total, one custom companion and one picture | Chatting with your Replika is free; there’s no free trial of the paid plans |
| Main plan | Premium: $13.99 a month, with unlimited chat and 100 tokens a month | Pro: romance, calls and unblurred selfies; monthly listings at $7.99 or $14.99 |
| Longer plans | $26.97 for 3 months, or $47.88 a year (about $3.99 a month) | Yearly listings at $49.99–$69.99; Replika offers Ultra as an annual plan |
| Top plan | Premium Plus, with 330 tokens a month; its price didn’t show on the plans page | Platinum, $89.99 in the US App Store |
| Extras | Token packs for more pictures, video and voice | Gems for her look and room; you can also earn them |
| Refunds | Within 24 hours of a direct card payment, with 20 tokens or fewer used | Purchases are final, Replika says; Apple or Google handle store refunds |
| Prices checked | September 2026 | September 2026 |
Replika doesn’t publish prices on its site: the cost shows in the app and the store, its help center says. Our Replika prices are the US App Store listings from our September 2026 check. On October 21, 2026, Candy.ai’s plans page showed a first month at $9.99. Our pricing traps guide has a cost calculator.
Test it: Before you pay, open the subscription screen. Note the plan, the price and the renewal date.
Are Candy.ai and Replika safe and private?
Both are real apps for adults 18+, and both are safe enough with common sense. Replika scores higher for privacy info (7.8 against 7.2), but it stores your messages, so share with care.
| What to know | Candy.ai | Replika |
|---|---|---|
| Company | EverAI Limited, a company in Malta | Luka, Inc., based in San Francisco |
| What it keeps | Account data, usually for three years after your last activity, unless you ask for deletion; billing records for ten years | Messages, up to 60 days after the contract ends; account and payment records for at least 10 years |
| Training | Chats may help train its AI, and people may review them | Small parts of messages train its safety systems and improve the chatbot |
| Sharing | Outside AI model providers may receive your messages; it shares data with authorities when the law requires | It never shares your conversations with advertising partners, it says |
| Cancelling | My Profile, then Settings, then Unsubscribe; cancelling doesn’t refund you | Settings, then Subscription, or the store you paid through; deleting the app or account doesn’t cancel it |
| Deleting | Settings, then the Danger Zone; deleting before renewal cancels your plan | Permanent, and it erases your chat history and photos |
Replika’s privacy policy says data is encrypted in transit, but it doesn’t promise end-to-end encryption. Its terms say Replika isn’t medical or mental health care, and isn’t for emergencies. In a crisis, they say to stop using it and call 911.
Sources for Candy.ai, checked October 21, 2026: its privacy notice (revised October 19, 2026), terms (revised September 22, 2026), underage policy and help center. For Replika: its privacy policy (updated May 27, 2026), terms (updated March 30, 2026) and help center.
Step by step: our free fillable privacy checklist (PDF) and AI girlfriend privacy guide.
Who should pick Candy.ai, and who should pick Replika?
Pick by the kind of relationship you want: romance, or a caring friend.
Pick Candy.ai if
- You want romance with selfies of a girlfriend you designed
- You want open adult chat, within its rules
- You want her designed and chatting in under three minutes
Pick Replika if
- You want a calm, caring friend who checks in on you
- You want polished phone apps, with an AR avatar
- You want free chat, with paid extras only if you want them
Skip both if you want the best memory. Nomi.ai is our pick for memory (9.0 for memory).
Find your match: Candy.ai or Replika?
Six quick rounds of this or that. Pick what sounds more like you, and we’ll match you with the app that scores higher on your picks. It takes about a minute.
Don’t want to play? The short version. Candy.ai leads on NSFW freedom (9.3 vs 5.5), pictures and video (9.3 vs 6.0) and customization (9.4 vs 7.0). It also leads on chat realism, app design and price value. Replika leads on voice (8.2 vs 7.2) and privacy info (7.8 vs 7.2). It also edges ahead on mobile. They tie on memory.
Round 1 of 6 Which would make you smile more?
Round 2 of 6 Which matters more to you?
Round 3 of 6 Pick one for tonight.
Round 4 of 6 Which would you miss more?
Round 5 of 6 Which sounds more like you?
Round 6 of 6 Last one. Which wins?
Your match
We earn a commission if you sign up through this button. It never changes our score.
Read the Candy.ai reviewBonus: guess the winner
Three close calls from our ratings. Make your guess, then see the real scores.
Who scored higher for price value?
Who scored higher for app design?
Who scored higher for mobile?
What are the best alternatives to Candy.ai and Replika?
The best alternative to both for most people is Nectar AI (8.6), with the most open adult chat and polished pictures. If you came for a caring companion, Nomi.ai (8.1) is the closest match. These six are ordered by overall score.
More Candy.ai matchups
More Replika matchups
Candy.ai vs Replika: FAQ
Which is better, Candy.ai or Replika?
It depends on what you want. As of October 2026, Candy.ai scores 8.7/10 and wins on romance, pictures and adult chat. Replika scores 7.3/10 and wins on voice (8.2 against 7.2) and privacy info.
Can Replika be your girlfriend?
Yes, on Pro: you can set her status to Romantic Partner, Replika says. In our checks, romantic mode depended on account and region settings. Adult chat is limited (5.5 for NSFW freedom, against 9.3 for Candy.ai).
Can Replika make pictures like Candy.ai?
Not as well: 6.0 for pictures and video, against 9.3 for Candy.ai. Replika’s Pro plan unblurs romantic selfies and adds image generation.
Which is cheaper, Candy.ai or Replika?
Replika. Chatting is free, and paid plans start at $7.99 a month in the US App Store. Candy.ai Premium costs $13.99 a month, or $47.88 a year. Candy.ai scores higher for price value, though (7.6 against 7.0).
Are Candy.ai and Replika free?
Replika’s chat is free, with no free trial of the paid plans. Candy.ai is free only to start: 5 messages in total, one custom companion and one picture, its help center says.
Which has better voice calls?
Replika: 8.2 for voice against 7.2. Pro adds voice messages, background calls and roleplay in voice and AR calls, Replika says. Candy.ai’s voice calls are in beta and use tokens.
Which is more private, Candy.ai or Replika?
Replika: 7.8 for privacy info against 7.2. Its privacy policy says conversations are never shared with advertising partners. Candy.ai’s privacy notice says chats may help train its AI. Use a nickname on both.
Can Replika replace therapy?
No. Its terms say Replika isn’t medical or mental health care, and isn’t for emergencies. In a crisis, they say to stop using it and call 911.
Why is Candy.ai ranked #1 and Replika #15?
Apps are listed by overall score, with one editorial exception: OurDream AI is placed at #2 as our pick for building her yourself. OurDream AI is an affiliate partner. Candy.ai has the top overall score, 8.7. Replika scores 7.3, and all 14 apps above it score higher. Character.AI (7.2) is the only app below it, and there’s no tie. We earn a commission from Candy.ai’s button, and a commission never changes a score.
How do I cancel Candy.ai or Replika?
On Candy.ai, go to My Profile, then Settings, then Unsubscribe. On Replika, go to Settings, then Subscription, then Cancel subscription, or cancel in the store you paid through. Deleting the Replika app or account doesn’t cancel it.
Our verdict: Candy.ai for romance, Replika for a caring friend
Candy.ai wins clearly, 8.7 to 7.3. Pick it for romance with selfies and open adult chat. Pick Replika if you want a calm, caring friend on polished phone apps, with better voice calls.
Chat free on Replika for a week first. If you want romance with pictures instead, pay for one month of Candy.ai, not a year.
We earn a commission if you sign up through this button. It never changes our score.
How we know this
We used both apps through our week-long hands-on test from September 1, 2026, and re-tested both on September 26, 2026. The ten ratings use the same published weights as every app we rank. Candy.ai’s prices were checked in September 2026, and Replika’s US App Store prices in September 2026. Replika’s real costs are our estimate from those prices. Facts from each app’s own pages were checked on October 21, 2026.
Comparison updates
- October 22, 2026: rebuilt the comparison with side-by-side scores, weighted sums and four “which is better” answers. Added prices and privacy facts from both apps’ own pages, the match game and a longer FAQ.
- October 5, 2026: scores checked against our published weights. Candy.ai’s overall score moved from 9.3 to 8.7.
- September 26, 2026: re-tested both apps.
- September 1, 2026: first week-long tests of both apps.
Sources
- Our Candy.ai review and our Replika review: full test notes, scores and prices.
- Official Candy.ai site: features, the no-download note and the company name.
- Candy.ai plans page: Premium prices, the first-month price and what Premium includes.
- Candy.ai privacy notice (revised October 19, 2026), terms of service (revised September 22, 2026) and underage policy.
- Candy.ai’s help center: free plan, paid plan, tokens, Premium Plus, cancelling, refunds and deleting your account.
- Official Replika site: the company and its features.
- Replika privacy policy (updated May 27, 2026) and terms of service (updated March 30, 2026).
- Replika’s help center: Pro, choosing a plan, free trial, coins and gems, cancelling, refunds, billing after deleting and deleting your account.
- App Store page for Replika: the seller, the 18+ rating and its features.
- Our methodology: the published weights behind both scores.
- Affiliate disclosure: how we earn money, and why it never changes a score.
- FTC Endorsement Guides: how we disclose affiliate links.
Keep reading
Alex tests every AI girlfriend app we rank for a week and writes our reviews, comparisons and guides. Read Alex’s full bio, or see how Alex tests the apps.
For adults 18+. Adult companion apps are discussed in non-graphic terms. Scores are editorial and dated, and products change.